Adjustable three-dimensional multi-level game play area apparatus and method of play

ABSTRACT

A game apparatus having a generally horizontally disposed base unit used to support or contain a plurality of independently hand movable blocks of one or more colors and two or more heights, for use in the playing of board games, such as chess and checkers or any other game utilizing a user modifiable multiple height three dimensional playing area. The rules and or method of play of any such game may be modified with the use of this apparatus due to the independently mobile, multi height, and potentially multi-colored blocks that make up the playing area and create the topography of the board.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/405,399 titled “Adjustable Three-DimensionalMulti-Level Game Play Area Apparatus And Method of Play” filed on Oct.21, 2010 and incorporated fully herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to three dimensional game boards and game playingareas for use with games such as, but not limited to, chess andcheckers.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A traditional chess or checker board is a single two dimensional, onelevel, horizontal, square board with its playing surface consisting ofsixty-four (64) uniform squares. The sixty-four (64) squares areseparated into two colors, thirty-two (32) of one color and thirty-two(32) of a second color. The squares are positioned with the two (2)colors in alternating positions on the board as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2is a side view of a conventional flat chess/checker board.

Although such game boards and games played thereon are enjoyable, whatis needed is a reconfigurable game board that allows the user(s) todesign a multi-dimensional game board playing area of various heights,thereby allowing for more interesting games and games with variousand/or additional rules.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a threedimensional game board and game playing area that may be modified toprovide the players with the option to have a different threedimensional playing area every time they play or even between every movethey make during a game.

It is a further object of this invention to allow the artful arrangementof the individual blocks for both aesthetic and functional purposes.Setting up the board may be challenging, enjoyable and satisfying asshould be the act of playing a game on it.

It is a still further object of this invention to allow the endlessmodifications of the rules of playing chess or checkers or any othergame that utilizes this adjustable three dimensional playing area. Themodification of standard rules may result in a greater challenge, use ofimagination and additional enjoyment as well as being a catalyst forsome potential players to participate.

SUMMARY

The game apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of presentinvention includes an optional square shaped base grid with sixty-four(64) (more or less) identical square spaces to support sixty-four (64)(more or less) independent and movable square cuboid or cube shapeblocks of varying colors (single color blocks or “half and half” coloredblocks) and multiple heights, all such blocks preferably having auniform square base corresponding to the size of the square spaces inthe base grid, for use in the playing of games such as chess andcheckers and any other game that utilizes a modifiable, multiple blockplaying area wherein the playing area may include an alternating colorand/or multiple height three dimensional playing surface. The upwardfacing plane or surface of each block serves as a support space in whichto place the individual playing pieces of the game being played.

The present invention features, in a first embodiment, an apparatususable as a game board, the apparatus comprising a base unit having anupper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface of the base unitincluding a plurality of block support locations and a plurality ofindividual movable blocks configured for being arranged in a userconfigurable arrangement on the upper surface of the base unit, whereineach of the plurality of individual movable blocks is configured to fitonto any one of the plurality of blocks support locations, wherein eachof the plurality of individual movable blocks include a height which isdifferent than a height of at least one other of the plurality ofindividual movable blocks, and wherein each of the plurality ofindividual movable blocks includes a top surface configured to serve asa playing surface for a game, and wherein the top surface is configuredto accept a game piece.

In this embodiment, the upper surface of the base unit may include twoor more vertical dividers and two or more horizontal dividers, whereinthe two more vertical dividers and the two more horizontal dividers forma plurality of spaces forming the plurality of blocks support locations.The plurality of individual movable blocks may feature a cuboid shape.

A first quantity of the plurality of individual movable blocks may begenerally entirely of a first color while a second quantity of theplurality of individual movable blocks may be generally entirely of asecond color. The plurality of individual movable blocks may be in theform of a plurality of different shapes.

In this embodiment, the plurality of individual movable blocks may beconstructed to display a first color on a first half of each of theplurality of individual movable blocks, and a second color on a secondhalf of each of the plurality of individual movable blocks, wherein eachof the plurality of individual movable blocks is reversible such thateither the first color on the first half or the second color on thesecond half can form a top surface that serves as a playing surface fora game.

Further, in this embodiment, each space on the base unit may be labeledin order to assist a user in setting up the game board in a userpredetermined configuration. Each space may be of uniform size. The baseunit may be constructed from at least one material selected from thegroup consisting of wood, plastic, ceramic and composite material. Thebase unit may feature nine horizontal dividers and nine verticaldividers, wherein the nine horizontal dividers and the nine verticaldividers form sixty four spaces. The sixty four spaces may be identicalin shape and size.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus usable as agame board comprises a generally horizontal base unit having an uppersurface and a lower surface, the upper surface of the base unit includesa plurality of block support locations, the base unit includes at leastfour perimeter members disposed around a perimeter of the upper surfaceof the base unit, at least two latching mechanisms are located on the atleast four perimeter members each of the at least two latchingmechanisms are operable in one of an engaged or a disengaged positionand a plurality of individual movable blocks are configured for beingarranged in a user configurable arrangement on the upper surface of thebase unit, wherein each of the plurality of individual movable blocks isconfigured to fit onto any one of the plurality of block supportlocations, wherein each of the plurality of individual movable blocksinclude a height which is different than a height of at least one otherof the plurality of individual movable blocks, and wherein each of theplurality of individual movable blocks includes a top surface configuredto serve as a playing surface for a game, and wherein the top surface isconfigured to accept a game piece, and wherein the latching mechanism isconfigured to securely hold the plurality of individual moving blocks inplace on the upper surface of the generally horizontal base unit, suchthat the plurality of individually movable blocks are not movable whenthe latching mechanism is engaged.

It is important to note that the present invention is not intended to belimited to a system or method which must satisfy one or more of anystated objects or features of the invention. It is also important tonote that the present invention is not limited to the preferred,exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. Modifications andsubstitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to bewithin the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will bebetter understood by reading the following detailed description, takentogether with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view drawing of a prior art game board;

FIG. 2 is a side view drawing of a prior art game board;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a game board and plurality of individualgame board blocks in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a game board according to one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the game board and individually movable gameboard blocks according to one embodiment of the present inventionconfigured in a first configuration;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the game board and individually movable gameboard blocks according to one embodiment of the present inventionconfigured in a second configuration;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the game board and individually movable gameboard blocks according to one embodiment of the present inventionconfigured in a third configuration;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the game board and individually movable gameboard blocks according to one embodiment of the present inventionconfigured in a fourth configuration;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the game board and individually movable gameboard blocks of according to one embodiment of the present inventioneach having two different colors; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view the game board and individually movablegame board blocks according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention features an adjustable, three dimensionalmulti-height game board 10, FIG. 3. The game board includes an optionalbase grid or base unit 12 and a plurality of individually movable blocks14 having various heights, colors and perhaps even shapes or sizes. Eachof the blocks 14 is configured to fit into any one of a number oflocations or spaces 16, FIG. 4, located in the base grid 12. Theindividual spaces 16 may be formed by dividers or simply a location orspace, perhaps numbered or otherwise labeled if necessary or desired, toassist in setting up a game board having a particular configuration,although dividers as well as labels and numbers are optional.

In the preferred embodiment, each of the spaces 16 is of uniform sizealthough this is not a requirement of the present invention. Each of thespaces 16 may be separated by a horizontal divider 20 and verticaldivider 18, which forms the individual spaces 16. The base unit 12 maybe made from wood, plastic, ceramic or any other suitable material.

In one embodiment, the blocks 14 may be all the same height or allblocks a different height, although in the preferred embodiment, theblocks 14 are of a number of (at least two) different heights, such asseven (7) different heights and two (2) or more different colors.However, this is not a limitation of the present invention as there maybe a greater or fewer number of varying block heights as well as colors.The individual blocks may be of one color, or the blocks may be of onecolor at their top region and another color at the bottom regionallowing the block to be “flipped over” for presenting a different colorto the user. Blocks may also be made of more than one color and may bestriped or any other varying color and design configuration as desired.

The top surface or plane 22, FIG. 3 of each of the individual blocks 14serves as the playing surface for a game. Any individual block 14 (ofany height and or color) may be placed in any space 16 reserved for ablock 14. Various game pieces 24 may be arranged on the top surface 22of any block 14. The staggered and varying heights of the individualblocks 14 allows traditional games such as chess or checkers to becomemore interesting and have additional rules written taking into accountthe various heights (and color(s)) of the blocks (for example rules mayallow two unoccupied blocks to exchange/change location during theplaying of a game between moves or player's turns. In addition, newrules for other existing games as well as new games may be createdutilizing the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a single level row of blocks 14 supported by anoptional square shape base grid 12 with sixty-four (64) identical squarespaces 16 to be used with square blocks 14. The blocks 14 may bearranged with a gap 28 between them that is determined either by thepresence of the vertical dividers 18 and horizontal dividers 20 in thebase grid 12 or by simply arranging the blocks with a space in betweenthem. Alternatively, there may be no space 28 between the blocks. Thiscan be the design of any row in any board design as an option.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a multi-level row of blocks 14 supported by asquare shaped base grid 12 with sixty-four (64) identical spaces 16. Theblocks 14 have a gap or space 28 between them that is determined by thebase grid 12. This can be the design of any row in any board design asan option. One row of eight (8) blocks 14 with each of the blocks 14being of different height than any of the other seven (7) blocks 14 inthe row or of a different height than any of the other three (3) blocks14 of that same color yields 576 different optional design setups.(4!×4!=576) (((1×2×3×4=24)×(1×2×3×4=24)=576).

FIG. 7 is a side view of a multi-level row of blocks 14 supported by asquare shaped base grid 12 with sixty-four (64) identical spaces 16. Theblocks 14 have a gap 28 between them that is determined by the base grid12. This can be the design of any row in any board design as an option.This row of eight (8) blocks 14 has but is not limited to every twoblocks 14 being of different height then any of the other six (6) blocks14.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a multi-level row of blocks 14 supported by asquare shaped base grid 12 with sixty-four (64) identical spaces 16. Theblocks 14 have a gap 28 between them that is determined by the base grid12. This can be the design of any row in any board design as an option.This row of eight (8) blocks 14 has but is not limited to every twoblocks 14 being of different height then any of the other six (6) blocks14.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a multi-level row of “half & half” coloredblocks 14 supported by a square shaped base grid 12 with sixty-four (64)identical spaces 16. A “half and half” block 14 has a first color on afirst half 30 of the block and a second color on a second half 32 of theblock. Only two (2) colors are to be used in each board design for theblocks 14. A “half and half” block 14 is reversible and may be turnedupside down in order to have a chosen color (either the first color orthe second color) as the top half or usable space in the playing of thegame. The use of ‘half and half’ blocks 14 in the board increases theamount of different board arrangement and game rule possibilities. Theblocks 14 have a space or gap 28 between them that is determined by thevertical dividers 18 and horizontal dividers 20. This design can be thedesign of any row in any board design as an option. This row of eight(8) blocks 14 has but is not limited to every two blocks 14 being ofdifferent height then any of the other six (6) blocks 14.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the base grid or unit 12 mayhave no dividers but may instead include at least four perimeter members34 (only three of the four shown in the drawing) disposed around aperimeter of the upper surface of the base unit 12. At least twolatching mechanisms 26 are located on the at least four perimetermembers, and wherein each of the at least two latching mechanisms areoperable in one of an engaged or a disengaged position. There is nospace between the individual blocks and the latching mechanism(s) 26secure the individual blocks 14 together by pressure such that theplurality of individually movable blocks are not movable when thelatching mechanism 26 is engaged. Further, although the base grid hasbeen shown as a square, this is not a limitation of the presentinvention as any shape or configuration is contemplated by the presentinvention.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a novel and non-obvious gameapparatus having a base grid or support for containing a plurality ofgenerally uniform, independent, hand movable cuboid or cube shape blocksof one or more colors and heights, for the use in the playing of boardgames such as chess and checkers and any other game utilizing a usermodifiable multiple height three dimensional playing area. The rules andor method of play of any such game may be modified to no end with theuse of this apparatus due to the independently mobile, multi heightblocks that make up the playing area and create the topography of theboard.

The present invention is not intended to be limited to a device ormethod which must satisfy one or more of any stated or implied objectsor features of the invention and should not be limited to the preferred,exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. Modifications andsubstitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to bewithin the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limitedexcept by the allowed claims and their legal equivalents.

1. An apparatus usable as a game board, said apparatus comprising: abase unit having an upper surface and a lower surface, said uppersurface of said base unit including a plurality of block supportlocations; and a plurality of individual movable blocks configured forbeing arranged in a user configurable arrangement on said upper surfaceof said base unit, wherein each of said plurality of individual movableblocks is configured to fit onto any one of said plurality of blockssupport locations, and wherein each of said plurality of individualmovable blocks includes a top surface configured to serve as a playingsurface for a game, and wherein said top surface is configured to accepta game piece.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of saidplurality of individual movable blocks include a height which isdifferent than a height of at least one other of said plurality ofindividual movable blocks.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidupper surface of said base unit includes two or more vertical dividersand two or more horizontal dividers, wherein said two more verticaldividers and said two more horizontal dividers form a plurality ofspaces forming said plurality of blocks support locations.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of individual movableblocks feature a cuboid shape.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein afirst quantity of said plurality of individual movable blocks aregenerally entirely of a first color while a second quantity of saidplurality of individual movable blocks are generally entirely of asecond color.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality ofindividual movable blocks are in the form of a plurality of differentshapes.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality ofindividual movable blocks are constructed to display a first color on afirst half of each of said plurality of individual movable blocks, and asecond color on a second half of each of said plurality of individualmovable blocks, wherein each of said plurality of individual movableblocks is reversible such that either said first color on said firsthalf or said second color on said second half can form a top surfacethat serves as a playing surface for a game.
 7. The apparatus of claim1, wherein each space on said base unit is labeled in order to assist auser in setting up said game board in a user predeterminedconfiguration.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each space is ofuniform size.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base unit isconstructed from at least one material selected from the groupconsisting of wood, plastic, ceramic and composite material.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said base unit features nine horizontaldividers and nine vertical dividers, wherein said nine horizontaldividers and said nine vertical dividers form sixty four spaces.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein said sixty four spaces are identical inshape and size.
 12. An apparatus usable as a game board, said apparatuscomprising: a generally horizontal base unit having an upper surface anda lower surface, said upper surface of said base unit including aplurality of block support locations, said base unit including at leastfour perimeter members disposed around a perimeter of said upper surfaceof said base unit, at least two latching mechanisms located on said atleast four perimeter members each of said at least two latchingmechanisms operable in one of an engaged or a disengaged position; and aplurality of individual movable blocks configured for being arranged ina user configurable arrangement on said upper surface of said base unit,wherein each of said plurality of individual movable blocks isconfigured to fit onto any one of said plurality of block supportlocations, wherein each of said plurality of individual movable blocksinclude a height which is different than a height of at least one otherof said plurality of individual movable blocks, and wherein each of saidplurality of individual movable blocks includes a top surface configuredto serve as a playing surface for a game, and wherein said top surfaceis configured to accept a game piece, and wherein said at least twolatching mechanisms are configured to securely hold said plurality ofindividual moving blocks in place on said upper surface of saidgenerally horizontal base unit, such that said plurality of individuallymovable blocks are not movable when said at least two latchingmechanisms are engaged.